New York Islanders: Presidents’ Trophy not out of reach for Isles during Barry Trotz era

The New York Islanders hiring Barry  Trotz is almost unanimously a good thing. He will make changes that better the team right away. However, his history as an NHL head coach could help them accomplish something unique.

The New York Islanders found themselves in a unique situation when they hired Barry Trotz to be their coach. They saw themselves as the only team with a vacancy at that position.

However, that was a mere coincidence. The challenges Trotz faces as the next coach of the Isles outweighs the pinnacle he already reached in Washington.

Obviously, winning the Stanley Cup is the most important thing in this sport. We need to mention he is that last to do so.

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But, what is interesting about this hire is what else can Trotz do for the franchise in desperate need to do, well, anything.

In Washington, Trotz also was able to lead his team to two Presidents Trophies. The most recent team to win the honor, the Nashville Predators, yeah, he coached for them for a while  before then too.

So, regardless of how we look at it, and it is not just a coincidence, Barry Trotz directly helped one team win two, and was in some way involved with another team winning the Presidents’ Trophy.

As much as the Islanders accomplished in their earlier days, they have never won a Presidents’ Trophy. To their defense, the Trophy was introduced at the tail end of their peak success in 1985-86.

However, they still have never won one. It is not easy to score the most points in the league. It also far from guarantees anything in terms of the ultimate goal of winning the Cup.

However, the Trophy and home ice throughout that year’s playoffs does seem nice. It is still an accomplishment to bask in and one that is worth glorifying.

Trotz has led his teams to two of these. He then won the Stanley Cup one year after his most recent Presidents’ Trophy. So, it is reasonable to think he can do it again eventually.

Those Capitals teams had Alex Ovechkin. They might also be more talented in general. But, they still needed a coach to lead that ship and it was Trotz.

The Isles are far from a finished product. It is also way too early to say anyone on the Isles current roster can be any player even remotely close to Ovi.

But, Trotz coaching his way to the most points in the league multiple times shows he is no fluke at it.

Perhaps he now understands that winning the Cup could come at the expense of not winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the two rarely happen in the same year.

But, no team tries not to win the Presidents’ trophy. So, Trotz has just a good a chance as any Isles coach has ever had to lead them to it.

There are bigger and better things coming the Isles way soon under the actual hockey player they have hired.

Also, this is all very far down the road. But, when looking at what Trotz and Lou Lamoriello can accomplish at the helm, the Presidents’ Trophy is easily one of those things.

Perhaps the Presidents’ Trophy winners can be one more banner to hang amongst the best of them in the new Belmont Arena in a few seasons.